Method of forming arch-supports or patterns therefor.



W. G. J. GUILFORD. mmnon or ronmme non SUPPORTS on PATTERNS THEREFOR.

APPLIUATmI FILED JAN. 7, 1910. 1,044,171, Patented Nov; 12, 1912.

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, w. c. J. GUILI'ORD. METHOD OF FORMING ARCH SUPPORTS 0R PATTERNS THEREFOR. APPLIUATIOH FILED JAN. 7, 1910.

1,044,171. 1 Patented Nov. 12, 1912.

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M v m'zmamfi m I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM C. J. GUILFORD, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR TO WILHELMINIA M. GUILFORD, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

METHOD OF FORMING ARCH-SUPPORTS OR ZPATTBRNS THEREFOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 7, 1910. Serial No. 536,910. r

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM C. J. GUIL- ronn, a citizen ofthe United States, residing atlVashington, in the District of Columbia,

have invented certain new and useful Im-' provements in Methods of Forming Arch- Supports or Patterns Therefor, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention has for its object the provision of a simple, expeditious and practical method of taking impressions for or form ing devices for use in connection with the treatment of members of the humanbody, and more particularly for the production of arch supports or props for individual or specific arches. The invention also includes the article produced by said method.

The invention contemplates the taking of i an impression of an arch or the direct forming of a support by forcing a flexible sheet or blank such as wax, prepared clot or equivalentsubstances whethcr the impression device is to constitutc a pattern for or the support itself, against the particular arch being treated with uniform pressure throughout the extent of the surface of the sheet or blank to obtain the minutest conformation to the foot. blank or sheet is through the instrumentality of fluid pressure, preferably first the application of a hot fluid against a blank susceptible to heat to press and readily form the blank against the arch of the foot, and subsequently While maintaining the pressure,'the withdrawing of the heat and the application of a relatively cool fluid for setting the blank in its conformed condition.

The invention further embraces as an important feature thereof, the step-of forcing the flexible blank under the equal pressure throughout against the arch of the foot not.

.rected or restored to normalnatural condition.

dependent upon.

Conveniently, the treatment of the I have devised an apparatus capable of materially assisting in the carrying of my present method into practical effect, but will not claim the same herein,inasmuch as it constitutes the. subject matter of a copending application executed of even date herewith. Therefore it is simply necessary here to illustrate more or less diagrammatically such features of said apparatus as will facilitat-e the imparting of a full and complete understanding of my present method; .To

Patented Nov. 12, 191'2.

that end, I have illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part hereof in Figure 1,a side elevation of the parts for securing the desired impression. Fig. 2, a particular footin position to be treated, the former being shown 'in full lines as expanded into surface engagement with the foot and in dotted lines, the former expanded further to elevate the arch structure of the foot, Fig. 3 is a plan view of the former, and Fig. 4. a perspective view of a pattern or support as the case may be, formed in keeping with my improved method. p

A represents a base plate or support, B

a flexible former secured thereto, the latter being sealed around its edges and provided with an inlet for the treating fluid through the medium of a nipple C inserted throug the baseA and discharging into the space between said base and the former B. C is i a similar'valved outlet.

D represents adjustable bearing members or clamps adapted to engage the foot, represnted at E to hold the same in proper pos1- tion against the base A and relative to the former B, a heel rest F being also provided on the base as shown. 4

A lateral toe rest is indicated at F.

Any suitable means maybeemployed for furnishing fluid under pressure for expanding the former B, that illustrated conveniently comprising a compressed air storage tank G' supplied from any suitable source of supply through a pipe g, a pipe H leading from said-storage tank to the nippleC before referred to. Intermediate its ends, this ipe H is formed into a coil 71. adjacent to a eater I for heating the air passing therethrough as desired, and between the heating coil and the discharge end of the pipe H,

if controlling valve J is provided to shutoff valve and the discharge end of the pipe will permit the air to escape from beneath the former B."

L is a valved by-pass feeding around the heaterland valve J, as shown. p

' K represents the sheet or blank, the same being of a flexible substance capable of softening under high heat, such as a wax composition, or a specially treated fabric, or.

e uivalent substances dependent upon w ether the impressed blank is to constitute,

a pattern from which the arch support is to e subsequently formed or said im ressed blank is itself todirectly constitute saldsupport.

With the foregoing understanding of the structural characteristics of the apparatus, the performance of my method may now be followed, to wit: It being understood that my aim and desireis to specially treat each and every footas distinguished from the mere furnishingof what might be styled standard arch supports or props adapted to be subsequently bent or refashioned usually by manual manipulation to the foot, I sebase or support, A through the medium of the bearingor clamping members D, with the arch of the foot in proper position above interposed-between the forming sheet B and the foot. I then subject the air within the; coil to the heating'influ'ence of the burner against the blank K, which in turn is pressed 40 against the arch of the foot and readily shaped tothe contour of the foot, as shown in Fig. 2, the admission of air. and pressure .being continued to force the impaired or fallen arch structure of the footupwardly I to the desired extent to be determinedin keeping with the comfort and ease of the a- -tient, also represented in Fig; 2. At tis' point, the blank is allowed to conform to the minutest conditions of the foot by shut-- '50 ting off the controlling valve, thus maintain-. Then the mg the" pressure in the former. cold an is admitted around the heating coil and by proper manipulation in opening thedetermined by the experlenced skill.

outlet C of the-operatoror from any suitable. pressure gage not shown), the-coldair-is admitted tot e former in volume to displacethe. hot'air, the displacement being gradual and the formed-pattern or support constituted from the'blank or sheet K being thereby c'ooledand setin its accurately conformed condition. The air may be released from the former when the operation is completed,

or as desired, through the pet-cock K. 1

i I ill not herein claim the article inascurely fasten the foot'to be treated to the the forming sheet B, and the sheet or blank much as the same more properly constitutes subject matter for a divisional application.

I claim: I

1. The method of forming a pattern for or an arch support which consists in utilizing the foot which is tobe treated as a former, and forcing a blank ofconformable material under substantially uniform pressure throughout toward .the arch of the foot and until resisted by the bony structure constituting said arch, while. maintaining the foot in position to resist displacement bodily.

2. The method of forming a pattern for or an arch sup ort which consists in utilizing the foot which is to be treated as a former, and forcinga blank of conformablematerial under fluid pressure'toward the arch of the-foot anduntil resisted by the bony structure constituting said arch, while maintaining the foot in position to resist displacement bodily;

I 3'. The method of forming a pattern for oran arch support comprising the forcing of a blank of conformable material under equal pressure throughout the extent of the blank againstthe arch of the foot and elevating he arch structure of the foot by said blank and under said pressure,.substantially as and for the purpose described.

4 The method of forming a pattern for or an arch support comprising the forcing of a blank of conformable material under equal pressure throughout-the extent of the blank against'the arch of the footand elevating the arch structure of the foot by said blank and under saidpressure, and permitting the 'blank to become set in its conformed condition while in eqgagement with the foot.

' 5. The 'metho of forming a pat-tern for or "an arch-support or prop whlch cons sts in forcing a blank .of conformable material under equal pressure throughout its extent against'the arch 'of-the foot, and permlttlng the same to'become set to its conformed condition whilein'engagement withthe foot, the conforming of the blank being under a heated fluid pressure and the setting thereof under. a relatively cool fluid pressure.

6. Themethod-of, forming a pattern for for an archsupport comprismg the forcing of ablank of conformable material under equal pressure throughout the extent of the blank ainst the arch of the foot and elevating t e arch structure ofthe foot by said blank and under said pressure, and permitting theblank to become set in its conformed condition while in engagement with the foot, .the. conforming of the blank being under a heated fluid pressure and the setting thereof under a relatively cool fluid ressure. "'7. The method, of substantially t e character described,for the treatment of feet having impaired arches and the like, consisting in forcing a conformable material under pressure throughout toward the arch 8. The method of forming a pattern for or an arch support comprising the forcing of ablank of conformable material under equal fluid pressure throughout the extent of the blank against the arch of the foot and elevating the arch structure of the foot by said blank and under said fluid pressure, substantially as and for the .purpose described. t

9. The method, of substantially the char acter described, for the treatment of feet having impaired arches and the like, consisting in forcing a conformable material under fluid pressure toward the arch of'the foot which is to be treated and until resisted by the bony structure constituting said arch and applying additional pressure to correctively elevate the arch structure, while maintaining the foot in position 'to resist displacement bodily.

10. The method of forming an individual arch support for a particu ar foot which consists inv forcing a blank of conformable material adapted to ultimately constitute the arch support against the arch under uniform pressure throughout the extent of the arch, the pressure being sufficient to elevate the arch structure of the foot through the medium of the blank, substantially as and for the purpose described.

11. .The method of forming an individual arch support for a particular foot which consists in forcing a blank of conformable material adapted to ultimately constitute the arch support against the arch under uni-' form fluid pressure throughout the extent of the arch, the pressure being suflicient. to elevate the arch structure of the foot through the medium of the blank, substantially as,

and for the purpose described.

12. The method of forming a pattern for or an arch support or prop comprising the utilization of the foot which is to be treated as aformer, and forcing of a blank of conformable material against the arch under uniform hot fluid" pressure throughout the extent of the blank, and while maintaining the pressure withdrawing the heat and applying relatively cold: fluid pressure to set the blank.

13. The method of forming a pattern for or an arch support or prop comprising the utilization of the foot which is to be treated as a former, and forcing of a blank of conformable material against the arch under uniform hot fluid pressure throughout the extent of the blank, and while maintaining the pressure Withdrawing the heat and applying relatively cold pressure to set the blank, both the conforming and setting of theblank being effected while the foot remains in engagement with the blank.

14-. In-the method of forming use on the human body, the positioning of a backing or resistance medium opposite to the member of the body to be treated, utilizin said member of the body as a former, an forcing a conformable material under substantially uniform pressure throughout member, substantially as de-= against said scribed.

15. Ina method. of forming devices for use on the human body, the positioning ofa backing or resistance medium opposite to the member of the body to be treated, utilizing said member of the body as a former,

and forcing a conformable material under substantially uniform fluid pressure throughout against said member, substantially ,as described.

n In testimon whereof I aflix my signature in presence 0 two Witnesses.

i WILLIAM-C. JGUILFORD. Witnesses:

CARRIE A. KREY, Tnos. R.

devices for I 

